Interim Head Coach Mike Kafka

Q: When you went back to look at the tape, just kind of what stood out about what Minnesota did exactly to kind of confuse you guys and confuse (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) a little bit and make the passing game struggle as it did?

KAFKA: I thought to start the game, I thought our running game really took off and was a really big asset for us in terms of just having control of the down and distances. I think when you look at it, the passes and just some of those unfavorable situations where it's second and long where we have a couple like cover zero answers, whether it's an alert or a check to, they were able to kind of hit us on a couple, whether it was cover zero or some exotic. So just staying out of those situations in general is going to be important for us moving forward. But we were able to look at that and at least communicate it with it across the group. And that's something that we can continue to get better at and get cleaned up for us.

Q: Also, have you seen anything in these three games since Jaxson's been back, have you seen any commonalities to where the offense maybe hasn't been able to kind of get on track the way it's been? Is it a matter of just these defenses with, you know, (New England Patriots head coach Mike) Vrabel and (Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian) Flores? Are there any commonalities you're seeing just in these three games, you think?

KAFKA: Not really. I think a lot of it is self-inflicted stuff. And again, we're all in this thing together, whether it's coaches, the players. I feel like it's some of us just as a group not executing at the level that we're expecting to execute at and the standard that we have in the offensive room is sky high. So we've just got to continue to clean those things up and get better.

Q: You had a lot of guys leave the game yesterday with injuries. Do you have anything at all on guys like (cornerback) Cor'Dale (Flott) and guys like (center John Michael Schmitz Jr.) JMS at this point?

KAFKA: Yeah. So we're still waiting for some of the imaging and stuff to come back from the docs. But I'd say the majority of those guys are going to be day-to-day. I wouldn't rule anybody out today. But we're still waiting on some imaging and some testing.

Q: There is a narrative out there that Jaxson is regressing or not playing as well now than he was earlier in the year. How do you see that in terms of his development?

KAFKA: I don't see it that way. I think every game is going to be different. How we play each game is going to be different. How we think what's going to help us win the game is going to be different each week. And I think the last couple weeks we ran the ball almost 30 times. So, when you run the ball 30 times, that's going to limit some opportunities for the pass game. And there's some games where we're going to have to use the pass game a little bit more. So, I think there's a way to win every game. Early in the week you build a game plan around how you think you're going to win the game. And then you have the complements and things built off of that. And then in-game you've got to go and adjust and find those solutions in-game based on the stuff that you have and the stuff that you put in and the system you are working within. So, I don't see that as a regression for Jaxson. Sure, maybe the numbers aren't what they had been in the past. But I think he's playing well. He's playing at a high level. There's certainly things that he can continue to improve on. And we've talked through those as a group too. But when I look back at it, this is an 11-man operation on offense. So, it's not about one person's production. It's about the whole group and it's about the whole team. So, whatever we've got to do to win the game, that's what we're trying to do. And so, yeah, I mean, at some point things like numbers and all that, I'm not as concerned about the numbers to be honest with you, we're looking to find a way to win a game. And Jaxson's on board with that. He understands that. So that's kind of where we're at.

Q: Does what you said about day-to-day and imaging and all apply to (tackle) Andrew Thomas too?

KAFKA: Yeah, he'd be in that group.

Q: Obviously you've been in this spot before where these late season games kind of take on different meaning for the fans than people in the building. This game's going to get a lot of attention this week because of the NFL draft and the number one pick. Do you address that with the guys to block that out? Is there any form of rallying cry in that? Everybody's treating the loser of this game as the winner except the people in the building. Is there any way to use that to your advantage?

KAFKA: No, really the only messaging today was just focusing on today and the corrections from yesterday's game. How we can stay consistent, how we can be more detailed. Then really the main message was, let's not leave the building today without getting some of those things corrected so that we can move forward, turn the page, and put together our best game plan and effort versus the Raiders.

Q: Just curious from a game plan perspective, obviously it was very run heavy on early downs. Why not mix in more play action if you're going to establish that with the run?

KAFKA: I think there was a time and a place for those and those calculated shots. I just felt like in the flow of the game the runs were so efficient and effective that, why kind of stop with them? So, I felt like we were getting really good production on first down, which was really, to me, the biggest part of the game. As we talked about it and I even mentioned it in a few of my press conferences earlier was to get back on track off those second and longs, staying out of those situations so we can stay positive on first down and keep us in the favorable second downs and favorable third downs, and that would give us an opportunity to continue to be successful. I think the run actions kind of came to us a little bit later, but we used a couple of them. I think one of them, we ended up getting sacked on it. But, we want to mix those in, no question, and we'll continue to do that and marry those things up. But the way that that kind of package ended up evolving for the game, quite frankly, I didn't really see myself using it as much as we really did because of the early success it had. I had a few more different personnel groups in mind to jump into, but it was so successful early, we kind of hung with it and had some good complements built off of it. So that's really kind of where my mind went in the flow of the game.

Q: What went into putting (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) on IR? It seemed like he was working to get back, so I'm just curious.

KAFKA: Yeah, he was working really hard, and I know he wanted to get back for the group. Just medically and just talking with him he really wasn't there yet to be back for the last couple games, so it just didn't make sense to put him at risk for potentially a longer-term injury and kind of redoing it. So, he battled. Everyone was working hard, and he was working hard to get back, but it'll just be after the season.

Q: Jaxson, when he came in, I believe he had done a lot of his work from the shotgun, and obviously in the NFL you have to be able to work from the gun. You also have to work under center. Can you just talk a little bit about the challenges of working with a quarterback who maybe doesn't have as much experience working under center and what you go through with him?

KAFKA: The only thing is I wouldn't say it's a challenge. I think it's probably a little bit different for him, but he enjoys it. He likes it. He likes being under center. That was one of the things we talked through over the bye week was that we were building in some tendencies. Hey, we're in the gun, it's probably a pass. We're under center, it's probably a run. Okay, so how do you mix and match being under center and still being able to have your run action game, your naked game out of that, or in the pistol, those type of things. So, there's ways to kind of supplement it. And, yeah, we know Jaxson spent the majority of his time in gun, but I think it does give you an advantage for being able to go under center or be in the pistol. I know the run lanes and the run angles are a little bit different than you are in gun when you're off set. So, there's a few things that in our mind kind of go into it, but for Jaxson and his development, he feels comfortable underneath. He likes it. He likes the play action. He likes how it influences the second level and third level linebackers. So that gives us an advantage, and he's continuing to grow with it.

Q: And what have you seen from him working under center? You mentioned the comfort level, obviously. Where can he still grow in that regard?

KAFKAL: No question. I think the run action fakes, just getting his head and eyes around quick, finding that flat defender, the hook and curl defender. I think just the fundamentals of it are continuing to grow, and you're seeing that the more comfortable he gets with being under center and using those fakes. Yeah, you turn your back to the defense, but now the defense has to respect the run. Again, we're running the ball at a higher tick than normal. That's going to make those guys step up, and now you can use those run actions, and so I think it's just mixing and matching those and being really smart in how we shape the game plan and how we can complement each other in both the run and the pass.

Q: You obviously had a relationship with Jaxson as an offensive coordinator. Brian Daboll had a relationship with him as a head coach and a quarterback guy also. When you took over as the interim head coach, did you see the need to change your relationship in any way? I mean, obviously you had a relationship before, but to change it, more intense, more distant, more head coachy, anything like that?

KAFKA: No. That's one thing I'm most proud of is keeping our consistency with our meeting times. You know, sometimes I spend the majority of the time in the offensive room in general while (offensive coordinator) Tim's (Kelly) kind of going through the installations and I'm still standing up there and installing stuff. But, I do have to make sure I dedicate some time to the other phases as well. That's just me and the just time management part of it, but I'm always in the quarterbacks room and talking with those guys and continuing with our routine in terms of meeting with him, going over the game plan, going over the answers. Post-practice, during practice, making sure I get some of those adjustments and stuff done. So, I'd say, sure, it's changed a little bit just based on the nature of the role right now, but really like wide scale, it hasn't changed that much.

Q: As far as the last two games for Jaxson, there have been rookies who have been asked to take a seat sometimes. I'm not saying I'm advocating this, but I'm saying it has happened in the past, okay, let's let the rookie maybe sit these out. I don't imagine you have thought of that in any way, shape, or form. You can tell me if you have. And would there be anything to sitting Jaxson these games and maybe taking a step back, or do you think full throttle ahead, these two games are going to be great for him?

KAFKA: Yeah, I'd go with the latter of that. We're full throttle ahead. Jaxson's running the ship. No question about that.

Q: You mentioned yesterday when you were asked about some defensive things, and you said, well, I was doing this, I was doing that. Is it part of the head coach that you're learning these things, especially in game? You're the play caller, and you can't oversee everything all the time, and is that a great challenge?

KAKFA: It's a great challenge, and you're absolutely right, and you have to have great trust in the coaches and the coordinators on the other phases to make sure that they're dialed in and make sure they don't need me. Like, that's really the most important thing is I just want to make sure I'm an asset to them. If they have a question or if they're making sure we're all on the same wavelength in terms of how I see the game going as I'm managing the game, even though I'm still talking to the offense, I've still kind of got one ear to the defense, their communication, and then hitting them between drives as well. So there's certainly some communication that I've got to juggle, but it's part of the role, and it's fun. It's been great. The guys have been awesome in responding to it, and the communication, the dialogue that we've had has been excellent. So, hats off to the guys upstairs for, number one, keeping me on track with the game management part of it, and then just the communication and dialogue with the coaches, offensively, defensively, special teams. It's been really, really clear and really clean.

Q: You guys have been pretty fortunate just to have the O-line consistency all season. How did you see Jaxson handle yesterday with three of his starters out? And I guess what do you do differently, or do you do anything differently for a rookie QB in that situation, especially when it's someone like your left tackle who's such a stalwart?

KAFLA: Yeah, we've had this situation come up in the past for us. I think it's just we have a lot of trust in the guys that are stepping in. So, they have a great deal of responsibility in terms of understanding the game plan and going out there and execution. But our level of trust in the players that we put out there is sky high. So, we really didn't feel like we needed to skip a beat in terms of how we played the game or at least our intent for how we wanted to start the game and get into the game. And obviously you want to adjust based on how things are going or maybe a certain player is doing really well or struggling a little bit. How can we help? But it didn't feel like that throughout the game. And so I just think the way the game kind of went and it got right down to it, three minutes and 20 seconds left with two timeouts at the minus 40, you're 25 yards from a game-tying field goal, 60 yards from a game winner with the ball in Jaxson Dart's hands. I'll take that any day of the week.

Wide Receiver Wan'Dale Robinson

Q: When you go back and look at the tape, what stood out about how the offense looked yesterday? There's obviously a lot, but was there something you guys felt like you could have maybe done differently to have the game go a better way for you?

ROBINSON: I think we had a great plan and we were able to run the football. The Vikings defense just did a really good job of taking away some of the things that we wanted to do in the passing game and switching up some of the looks.

Q: For two years now, you guys have kind of been in this situation where the last games of the season, people have talked more about draft positioning than wins and losses. As players, how do you guys filter that noise out and obviously focus on, hey, a win is more important than draft position or any of the things people talk about outside?

ROBINSON: I mean, I really don't think we talk about that part too much about the draft positioning and wanting a certain pick or anything like that. I think we just want to go out there and play our best football and go out there and get a win.

Q: Is that easy to do as players at this point in the season?

ROBINSON: Yeah, I think no matter what week that it is, you're always trying to go out there and get a win. We work really hard during the week to go out there and try to put our best performance out there and definitely not going to think about going out there and trying to lose or anything like that.

Q: Understanding first and foremost, obviously, that you want the team to win, what would 99 more yards mean to you?

ROBINSON: I think it'd mean a lot, being able to hit that mark. I think every receiver wants to hit that 1,000-yard mark. I'm just going to continue to try to do what I can do and hopefully get to that number.

Q: I didn't say 1,000, I said 99. So, you knew exactly how many you had, right?

ROBINSON: Yeah, I've had people, I've had teammates, I've had family members, everybody kind of keeps me updated with it. I really don't have to look at my numbers too often to know exactly what I need for certain things.

Q: That's what you've got people like us for...

ROBINSON: Yeah (laughs).

Q: You mentioned trying to get a win. You guys were in this spot last year. You had lost ten in a row. It's been nine now. Is it almost hard to believe you're back in this spot a year later? And I guess, what do you remember last year about that Colts win and getting that monkey off your back?

ROBINSON: I guess you could say it feels a little similar, just losing so many in a row. But that Colts win, it was a fun day. We were out there executing, especially on offense. I feel like that's the mindset that we have to have every time we step out there. Hopefully we can look like that on Sunday.

Q: You said it feels a little similar. Last year, I think everyone kind of knew you guys were playing with quarterbacks who were not going to be here moving forward. Now, the assumption is (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) will be here. Does that make it feel different now? Obviously, you don't know your situation. But just about the quarterback situation, does it feel different going out to the field trying to win a game with a quarterback that you think is part of the future here?

ROBINSON: Yeah, I think that's like you said, the biggest part. Last year not really knowing who was going to start week to week. Now you kind of have that solidified starter in Jaxson and just want to continue to help him develop and go out there and get a win under his belt. That hasn't happened in quite some weeks, so just doing everything that we can to just go out there and win.

Q: Does a game like yesterday make you think a little bit about him as a quarterback? Obviously, you didn't throw the ball much. You're shaking your head no – Tell me why not.

ROBINSON: No, I've got all the confidence in the world in Jaxson. He prepares really, really hard and it was just kind of hard to get into the flow of the game for him just because we were able to run the ball so well. So, it was hard to just get away from it. But like I said, I've got all the confidence in the world in him and he's going to do everything that he can to prepare and make sure that he's ready for Sunday.

Q: You're on the field the whole game. Is it hard for a wide receiver when first of all, you're not scoring. The offense produced field goals and the quarterback's throwing 13 passes. There's not a lot of action going on there. Is it hard? I mean, obviously if you're running and scoring, it's okay. You guys were running sort of and not scoring. Is that a hard game when you come back in the locker room and think like, what was that all for?

ROBINSON: Not necessarily. We're all in this thing together. Even whenever our backs are getting the ball, I'm just trying to do everything that I can to help spring a run or do whatever it is in the blocking phase of the game. It's just part of playing receiver and at the end of the day, you've got to do your job.

Q: I know you've got a job to do and maybe this is something you'd like your agent to focus on, but what have you thought about in terms of your future and have there been any talks in terms of an extension with the Giants?

ROBINSON: I'm not really going to get too much into that. Just trying to continue to just do what I can and finish this year out strong. I'm going to let my agents and my team handle that part of the business. Just trying to do everything that I can to be great.

Q: Obviously, you didn't want to see (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) get hurt, but you've taken advantage of the opportunity of maybe some extra targets. How proud are you of the season you've had?

ROBINSON: I think it just goes to show the work that I put in really this offseason. Didn't really take any breaks, just wanted to go put in all that work knowing that I had to have a big year this year even if it was Malik that was going to be here too. Just putting in the work, and now it's all – now the progress is just showing.

Cornerback Paulson Adebo

Q: If you don't mind, could you take us through the interception? Obviously, the first one for you this season. What did you see on that play? What worked? How were you able to make that play a little bit?

ADEBO: The receiver just ran a spray out. The ball was kind of behind him, so he had a hard time bringing it in, and then I was just driving him, trying to tackle him, maybe break up the pass, and then the ball kind of just popped up. So, just kind of heads-up play, caught it, and then tried to get my feet inbounds.

Q: I asked (outside linebacker Brian) Burns this yesterday, but just for a defense, you guys have forced multiple takeaways the last two games, but the results still didn't come the way you wanted. Is it frustrating as a defense where you guys make the plays that can flip the game around like you're a pick, Burns' forced fumble, but still just can't get some of those stops late to seal the win a little bit?

ADEBO: I mean, it's always frustrating whenever you don't win the game, so there's always more that we can do on our defensive end, some plays that we made, and then obviously some plays that we'd like to get back as well. So, any time we don't win, it's equally as frustrating, I would say.

Q: Obviously, a lot of people are talking about, these last two games being more about, you know, draft position than wins and losses. How do you as a veteran block that out and focus on, hey, a win's more important than thinking about draft position or any of that nonsense?

ADEBO: Yeah, I just approach every game the same way, whether it's first game of the season, last game of the season, so that's nothing that we really think about.

Q: In regards to yesterday in the defense, obviously you played one of your better games overall, but there were a couple of third and longs. Are those the ones that haunt you guys when you look back at the film together? What do you think went wrong on the third and long conversions? Obviously, they have a superb player, and they just kind of threw the ball to him.

ADEBO: Yeah, I think third and long, that's definitely a time where you want to get off the field, and we felt like we were in good calls and in good position. It just comes down to executing a couple kind of plays that we just have to make on the back end, whether it's tackling or just executing, to stop those long, third down conversions.

Q: What's been the biggest difference for you, you think, since – not for you, for the defense, sorry. What's been the biggest difference for the defense, you think, since (defensive coordinator) Charlie (Bullen) took over as the play caller? Chuck, I guess everybody calls him.

ADEBO: I think any time you get a new guy in there, you want to play really hard for him. So, I think everybody's kind of buying into everything that he's doing. So, we're all really happy with everything that he's kind of brought in and implemented.

Q: Defensive touchdown. What did you think of that, and what did you think of the first one of (safety Tyler) Nubin's? And then what did you think of the play (safety Jevón) Holland made that kind of got taken away? You almost had two defensive touchdowns.

ADEBO: Any time you can score on defense, it's a huge momentum swing, and you feel the energy in the crowd and everything that goes into it, offense, defense. It kind of just picks the team up, so that was a really big play. Jevón's and obviously Nubin's as well with Burns forcing the fumble and then him being able to pick it up and score. So, any time you can score on defense, that definitely boosts the morale and the confidence of everybody.

Q: Obviously, when you signed with the Giants, I'm sure you had expectations of what you could do and what this defense could do and what this team could do. Looking back at that, can you put your finger on what went wrong? I mean, not with you, but with the team. And looking back at that decision, is it still the right one for you, do you think?

ADEBO: For sure. I think as far as what went wrong with the defense or anything, I think you look at that after the season, you have a clear picture of everything that I could have done better personally and then also as a team. So that's something that we'll look at completely after the season's over. But right now, I'm just kind of focused on continuing to improve. We have a good opportunity this week, Sunday against the Raiders. So, I'm just kind of focusing my energy there, and then we'll look at those things and kind of try to pinpoint exactly.

Q: You've played other places, obviously. Do you think you're playing for a team that's had a really bad season, or are you worried that you're playing for a bad team?

ADEBO: I have no clue as far as what's happened before I got here.

Q: I mean, now, with this season. Is this a team having a bad season, or are you worried this is a bad team?

ADEBO: I really don't understand your question, to be honest. But like I said, I'm just kind of focused on this week and then as far as any type of things that we can look at completely, holistically as a whole for the whole season, then we'll do that after the season. But right now, I'm just kind of focused on continuing to improve as we head into Sunday.

Q: Do you look at the pieces here and think to yourself, we can be a much better team next year? I know you're not thinking about next year yet, but you have a contract here. This is not what we are, a two-win team?

ADEBO: Yeah, we'll just kind of look at it after the season. But again, happy to look forward to this game that we're playing this week and see if we can kind of focus all my energy there before we make any – kind of look holistically at everything that's happened.

Q: Obviously the pass rushing and then kind of coverage go hand in hand, but just as a teammate, I mean, look at Brian Burns and the season he's had. How impressive has he been? And when you notice him, guys have said that he looked like that from day one of camp. What has impressed you about the season Brian has had?

ADEBO: Yeah, absolutely. I think everything that he's done hasn't shocked anybody in the building from the first day, stepping in the building, meeting him, and then just seeing him throughout the spring, throughout training camp. You kind of expect him to have a big year, and he's done exactly that. So, he's definitely been everything that I thought he was going to be and then even more.